Rocking means for closing doll eyes



Oct. 4, 1960 A. F. wAsHBURN 2,954,641

ROCKING MEANS FOR CLOSING DOLL EYES Filed July 28, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 L 1950 A. F. WASHBURN 2,954,641

ROCKING MEANS FOR CLOSING DOLL EYES Filed July 28, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ALFRED FRASER WASH BURN 2,954,641 Patented Get. 4, 1960 RUCJKENG MEANS FOR (ILOSING DOLL EYES Alfred Fraser Washburn, Old Tappan, NJ. (1023 E. 8th Ave., Mount Dora, Fla.)

Filed July 28, 1958, Ser. No. 751,220

4 Claims. (Cl. 46169) This invention relates to the art of animated dolls and particularly concerns a new and improved eye closing and opening mechanism for a doll.

In animated dolls known heretofore, various attempts have been made to provide eye opening and closing mechanisms which would simulate the eye motions of an infant on being rocked to sleep and on being awakened. The prior known mechanisms have not proven wholly successful because rather unnatural movements were required to be imparted to the dolls body and the reponses of the eye mechanisms only crudely approximated natural eye movements. In some dolls, it was necessary to rock the doll rather violently in order to actuate a mechanism which controlled eye movement. In other dolls, the eyes closed rather suddenly instead of closing gradually in a more natural type of movement. In still other dolls, it was required to rock the doll from side to side rather violently in a diflicult and unatural motion to eifect closing of the eyes.

According to the present invention, there is provided for a doll an improved eye closing and opening mechanism. The doll is rocked lengthwise or end to end while cradled in a horizontal position in a childs arms. Gentle rocking movements lengthwise at a regulated rate of speed cause the eyes to close gradually a step at a time until the doll is fully asleep. If the sleeping doll is raised to a vertical position from the horizontal position, the doll wakes up and the eyes open. All these motions of the dolls body and responsive movement of the eyes are such as a child can perform and will find most realistic in simulating the responses of a live infant, more so than has been possible of attainment with prior known animated dolls of this type.

It is, therefore, a principal object of the invention to provide an animated doll having movable eyes adapted for falling asleep responsive to gentle lengthwise rocking movements of the doll in a horizontal position, and adapted for awakening when returned to a vertical position.

It is a still further object to provide an eye closing and opening mechanism adapted for closing the eyes of a doll in discrete steps responsive to gentle lengthwise rocking movements of the doll.

It is another object to provide an eye closing and opening mechanism for a doll, wherein said mechanism includes a gravity biased escapement sector plate controlled by a pallet bearing member actuated by a massive lever or pendulum, the pendulum being actuated by its momentum upon rocking of the doll lengthwise.

A further object is to provide an eye closing and opening mechanism for a doll, wherein the mechanism includes a gravity biased toothed sector plate controlled by a pivotable piece carrying a pair of spaced pallets, one of said pallets being pivotally mounted on the piece to permit the plate to move freely in one direction while limiting motion in an opposite direction to one mother step at a time.

For further comprehension. of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a dolls head embodying the invention, taken on line 11 of Fig. 2, the head being in an erect position.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the eye opening and closing mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the dolls head positioned horizontally to illustrate the mode of operation of the mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on line 66 of Fig. 2 to show portions of the mechanism in operating position.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 3 there is shown a hollow symmetrical dolls head 10 formed of two concave sections, a front section 12 and a rear section 14, of suitable plastic doll material, joined together. The sections are shaped to provide the neck opening 16 having a flange 17 for attachment of the head to a dolls body (not shown). The head is shown in Fig. l with its longitudinal axis of symmetry AA in a vertical position. The front section 12 has eye openings 19.

A main plate 22 is secured between bracket members 24 and 26 at the front and rear of the head, respectively. This plate is generally tapered downwardly in form from front to rear. Near the front of the plate there is an upstanding finger 223 and rearwardly of the finger is a curved slot or recess 34). Adjacent to plate 22 and parallel thereto is secured another plate 34. Plate 34 is spaced from plate 22 except for spaced bent portions 36, 38 and 40 where the two plates are secured together by screws, rivets or the like. A short bracket member 42 is secured to the front of plate 22 at the front end thereof. A shaft 44 passes transversely through bracket member 42, plate 22 and plate 34 near their front ends. On the ends of the shaft 44 are secured eye units 46. Each eye unit includes an outer hollow, semispherical shell which may have a metal filler 543 provided with a rear clip 52 for securing the eye unit on an end of the shaft 44. Each eye unit has a lower painted iris or pupil portion 53 and an upper blank flesh-colored portion 54 representing a closed eyelid. If desired, eye-lashes 55 may be cemented to the eye at the boundary between iris portion 53 and eyelid portion 54, to increase the simulated natural eifect.

A link 56 is rigidly secured perpendicularly to shaft 44 and terminates in a bent finger 58.

An escapement member in the form of a flat sector plate 60 is provided in the mechanism. This plate is generally shaped as a sector of a circle, preferably a quadrant, and has teeth 62 on its curved periphery. The plate 60 has a bearing opening in its apex and is freely pivotable with respect to shaft 44 which passes through the opening in the apex. A washer 64 spaces plate 60 from plate 22 so that the apical end of plate 60 is juxtaposed to bracket member 42. In the upper edge of plate 60, as viewed in Fig. 4, is formed a recess 65. The tip 58 of finger 56 is disposed in recess 65 and moves therein.

A lead or iron weight 68 is secured to the lowermost corner of plate 60 by a screw 70. A shaft 72 has one end secured by nuts 74 to plate 34 and its other end passes loosely transversely through plate 22 to support pivotally an escapement piece 76. This piece is flat and angular-shaped and is formed with a forwardly extending pallet or tooth 78 at one corner, as best shown in Fig. 6. A pivotable pallet piece 80 is mounted on another corner of piece 76 spaced from pallet 78 on the opposite side of its pivot shaft 72. Piece 80 has a tooth or pallet 82 extending forwardly and normally substantially parallel to pallet '78. Piece 80 pivots on pin 84. The piece '80 is formed from a single piece of sheet metal bent to form the pallet 82 and the lateral spaced leaves 86 through which the pin 84 passes. An upwardly extending finger 88 is formed on piece 89'. The piece 8% may be spring pressed to operative position if desired.

A recess or cutout 92 is formed in the periphery of piece 76. This recess receives the shank of a pin 94 which serves as a stop element to limit pivotal movement of the piece on shaft 72. A long flat bar 96 is secured atone end to piece 76 by a pin 97, and has an opening thereat to receive shaft 72. This bar is bent outwardly from plate 60 and carries at its free end a lead or iron weight 98. Bar 96 and weight 98 constitute an inertia actuated pendulum 95. Bar 96 should be made as long as possible to obtain actuation of the eye closing mechanism with only gentle rocking movements of the doll.

In operation of the mechanism, the doll is initially held with its head 10 erect and axisA-A vertical in the position of Fig. 1. In this position the eye units 46 are pivoted so that the lower iris portions 53 are exposed at the eye openings 19 in the head. This is the open or awake position. Weight 68 is at its lowermost position and holds the escapement plate 60 against further downward movement. Tooth 82 of pallet 80 rests on the upper portion of a tooth 62 near the upper corner of plate 60 and the pendulum 95 lies in a horizontal position. The doll may now be disposed so that the axis AA of the head 10 assumes the horizontal position shown in Fig. 5. Initially the eyes 46 will remain in the open position because the engagement of the escapement pallet 82 with a tooth 62 near the upper corner of escapement plate 60 will prevent relative movement of the plate 60 and escapement piece 76. In turning the doll to a reclining horizontal position, with the face uppermost, weight 68 assumes an elevated position and pendulum 95 is disposed in a forward position as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 5. The doll may now be rocked lengthwise backwardly and forwardly gently. At the end of the backward movement, the inertia of pendulum 95 will carry it rearwardly to the full line position of Fig. 5, to disengage pallet 82 from one tooth 62 and engage pallet 78 with a different tooth 62 while the plate 60 moves angularly the space of one tooth in a vertical plane as indicated by arrow 99. Pallet 78 limits the angular motion of plate 60 to just one tooth. Plate 60 is caused to move because of the gravital downward movement of heavy weight 68 which applies the rotational force. The single step movement of plate 60 causes link 56, which is engaged at its end 58 in recess 65, to pivot shaft 44. The recess 65 permits a slight lost motion between the shaft 44 and plate 60 whereby movement of eye units 46 lags a little behind the movement of the plate. The eyes 46 fastened to shaft 44 move a single discrete step toward the closed position and a leading edge portion of each eyelid 54 will be exposed at each eye opening 19.

Upon the forward movement of the doll, the eyes will remain in the slightly closed position. At the end of the forward movement, the inertia of pendulum 95 will pivot the pendulum forwardly and pallet 82 will engage another tooth 62 of the plate 60. The motion of pendulum 95 is thus boosted as in a conventional watch movement. Upon the return movement rearwardly' of the doll, the eyes will close another step as the doll movement stops to pivot pendulum 95 rearwardly. Thus, successive gentle rocking movements in lengthwise direc- 4 tions will cause the eyes to close gradually until the fully closed position is reached, as shown in full lines in Fig. 5, with eyelids 54 fully exposed at openings 19. Eyelashes 55 will be tilted forwardlyto simulate the fully closed position of the eyes.

If the doll is raised to the erect position at any step in the course of rocking the doll to sleep or when the doll is fully asleep, the doll will be awakened. The eyes will open immediately to the position shown in Figs. 14. This action occurs because the weight 68 will assume an elevated position when the head is placed erect and will be drawn down gravitationally to the position shown in Figs. land 3. Movement of the teeth 62 of the plate 60 past the retaining pallet 82 is made possible by the pivotal or hinged mounting of escapement piece 80. The teeth 62 successively tilt piece forwardly. There is thus provided a one-way escapement action which permits the plate 60 to be restored to the initial lowered position whenever the dolls head is in an erect position.

In pivoting pendulum 95, the pin 94 selves to limit angular movement of the pendulum and attached escapement piece 76 by contacting opposite sides of slot 92 in turn. When plate 60 reaches its maximum upward moving position link end 58 contacts finger 28 to stop further upward movement of the plate.

The eifects produced herein, particularly those of causing the eyes to close gradually in steps responsive to gentle lengthwise rocking movements of the doll, and of causing the eyes to open suddenly due to elevation of the doll or due to a sudden jar or rough rocking, simulate most closely natural actions of a live infant. Such natural-like effects have not wholly been attainable heretofore.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent 1. An eye closing and opening mechanism for a doll comprising a main plate, a shaft pivotally carried by said plate, a pair of eye units secured to opposite ends of the shaft, said eye units having upper eyelid portions and lower pupil portions, a flat sector plate disposed in a plan perpendicular to said shaft, said sector plate having peripheral teeth, a weight secured to one corner of the sector plate, an escapement piece pivotally mounted on the main plate and pivotable on a horizontal axis, said piece being spaced from the sector plate, said piece having two pallets for alternate engagement with successive teeth of the sector plate while the sector plate moves under action of gravity in steps in said plane, and a pendulum secured to said escapement piece for pivoting the piece in a plane parallel to the sector plate to control stepped advancement of the sector plate while impelled in one direction by said weight, said shaft having means engageable by said sector plate for pivoting the eye units to open and closed positions.

2. An eye closing and opening mechanism for a doll comprising a main plate, a shaft pivotally carried by said plate, a pair of eye units secured to opposite ends of the shaft, said eye units having upper eyelid portions and lower pupil portions, a flat sector plate disposed in a plane perpendicular to said shaft, said sector plate having peripheral teeth, a weight secured to one corner of the sector plate, an escapement piece pivotally mounted on the main plate and pivotable on a horizontal axis, said piece being spaced from the sector plate, said piece having two pallets for alternate engagement with successive teeth of the sector plate while the sector plate moves under action of gravity in steps insaid plane, and a pendulum secured to said escapement piece for pivoting the piece in a plane parallel to the sector plate to control stepped advancement of the sector plate While impelled in one direction by said weight, said shaft having a link secured thereto, said link having an end engageable on said sector plate for pivoting said eye units to open and closed positions.

3. An eye closing and opening mechanism for a doll comprising a main plate, a shaft pivotally carried by said plate, a pair of eye units secured to opposite ends of the shaft, said eye units having upper eyelid portions and lower pupil portions, a fiat sector plate disposed in a plane perpendicular to said shaft, said sector plate having peripheral teeth, a weight secured to one corner of the sector plate, an escapement piece pivotally mounted on the main plate and pivotable on a horizontal axis, said piece being spaced from the sector plate, said piece having two pallets for alternate engagement with successive teeth of the sector plate while the sector plate moves under action of gravity in steps in said plane, and a pendulum secured to said escapement piece for pivoting the piece in a plane parallel to the sector plate to control stepped advancement of the sector plate while impelled in one direction by said weight, said shaft having a link secured thereto, said link having an end engageable on said sector plate for pivoting said eye units to open and closed positions, one of said pallets pivotally mounted on said escapement piece and biased to a position substantially parallel to the other of said pallets, said one pallet operative to clear each of said teeth in turn to provide free movement of said sector plate in a reverse direction when the sector plate is impelled by said weight in said reverse direction.

4. An eye closing and opening mechanism for a doll comprising a main plate, a shaft pivotally carried by said plate, a pair of eye units secured to opposite ends of the shaft, said eye units having upper eyelid portions and lower pupil portions, a flat sector plate disposed in a plane perpendicular to said shaft, said sector plate having peripheral teeth, a weight secured to one corner of the sector plate, an escapement piece pivotally mounted on the main plate and pivotable on a horizontal axis, said piece being spaced from the sector plate, said piece having two pallets for alternate engagement with successive teeth of the sector plate while the sector plate moves under action of gravity in steps in said plane, and a pendulum secured to said escapement piece for pivoting the piece in a plane parallel to the sector plate to control stepped advancement of the sector plate while impelled in one direction by said weight, said shaft having a link secured thereto, said link having an end eng-ageable on said sector plate for pivoting said eye units to open and closed positions with respect to the main plate, one of said pallets pivotally mounted on said escapement piece and biased to a position substantially parallel to the other of said pallets, said one pallet operative to clear each of said teeth in turn to provide free movement of said sector plate in a reverse direction when the sector plate is impelled by said weight in said reverse direction, said escapement piece having a recess therein, said main plate carrying a pin engaged in said recess between opposite walls thereof for limiting pivotal movement of the escapement piece.

Marcus Apr. 23, 1940 Ratclifi May 19, 1953 

